Customs Apprehend 1,464 Bags Containing Foodstuffs Going To Benin Republi

Customs Apprehend 1,464 Bags Containing Foodstuffs Going To Benin Republic‍

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, disclosed that it intercepted three trucks that carried 1,464 bags of foodstuffs conveying to Benin Replublic.

According to a press briefing by Customs’ Area Controller in charge of the command, Hussein Ejibunu, on 8th march 2024, said the consignments that carried 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper, were intercepted at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

Mr Bola Tinubu had ordered the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi last month to work jointly with state governors to investigate those illegal storage of foodstuffs in the country.

The President also stated that the current food crisis spurred by the spike of transportation costs due to the fuel subsidy removal and inaptitudes of farmers to nurse their crops for security lapses will be addressed.

After the president had addressed them, Ejibunu also added, “Worthy of note was the interception of export-bound three trucks going to Benin Republic loaded with 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions and 18 bags of dry pepper at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

“Instead of apprehinding the food items, the unit instructed the trucks to the Nigerian markets where they were sold to Nigerians.”

He also affirmed that in February, the unit seized 3,779 bags of rice in seven trailers in different parts of South-West states.

“Other items were also seized which included one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta Road; 731 parcels of Indian Hemp weighing 482kg; one 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers; seven units of used motorcycles; 28,000 litres of premium motor spirit and 2,420 pieces of used tyres,” Ejibunu said.